Pentecostal church celebrating opening of new park Saturday

Terrell Deason and his children work to spread mulch in the newly renovated playground area at the Pentecostal Full Gospel Worship Center's newly renovated park and sports complex at the Ocala church on Thursday. The church is having a dedication for the park on Saturday and will invite the public to use it. Everything has been refurbished such as upgraded playground, resurfaced basketball court, reworked volleyball and new quarter mile walking trail.

Alan Youngblood/Staff photographer

By Andy FillmoreCorrespondent

Published: Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 5:55 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 5:55 p.m.

The clergy and congregation of Pentecostal Full Gospel Worship Center will dedicate the church's new six-acre park and recreation complex Saturday.

Facts

If you go

The public is welcome to attend the event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include entertainment, food and activities geared to families.

The complex, adjacent to the church at 5105 N. U.S. 441, Ocala, has been a cooperative effort by the congregation and local businesses to build a recreation area for the whole family, especially youth, the Rev. Benjamin Snowden III said.

"The park will be for the public as well as congregation members. We're reaching out to the youth in the community with a safe haven and a good environment where kids can be surrounded by family," Snowden said.

Snowden said the park also will be a place for adults to exercise and keep fit for good health.

The church's youth minister, the Rev. Calvin Brown, said the complex is an outreach to the community.

"Our church is all about building relationships and networking with the community. The park was the vision of apostle Bernard Tuggerson Sr., who passed away in November, and his friend and honorary church member attorney Charles Foreman. Apostle Tuggerson raised me," Brown said.

The complex includes a softball field, basketball court, tennis/volleyball court, slides and swing sets, a climbing gym, a playhouse and a 1/4-mile fitness track.

On a recent workday, in 95 degree heat, Snowden, church member Michael Thompson, executive pastor Rev. Bernard Tuggerson Jr. and his mother, senior pastor Rev. Lillie Tuggerson, worked on playground equipment and painted the playhouse.

Bernard Tuggerson Jr. said the complex was one of his father's desires for the community.

Lillie Tuggerson said it was an "investment in the community" envisioned by her late husband.

"It is about the next generation," she said.

The Beard family — Beauregard Beard Jr., 30, his wife, Faith, and their sons Beauregard III, 8, and Kamden, 3, — are looking forward to the park opening.

"I can't wait," said Beauregard Beard Jr., who was one of the volunteers who worked on the project. "It's been a lot of work."

Several children in the congregation gathered after services recently to talk about the park. Keviontae Brown, 12, Calvin Brown's son, said he wants to play football there. Zakire Johnson, 15, is happy to have an "official type basketball court."

The Thompson children, — Jaden, 7, Jared, 6, and Makenzie, 3 — along with the Olorode children, Elijah, 10, and Caleb, 9, are ready to play.

"Makenzie wants to play in the playground," Jaden said.

Benjamin Snowden IV, 5, said he "wants to play tennis."

His father said the dedication event will feature a live band, food, games and a bounce house.

<p>The clergy and congregation of Pentecostal Full Gospel Worship Center will dedicate the church's new six-acre park and recreation complex Saturday.</p><p>The public is welcome to attend the event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include entertainment, food and activities geared to families.</p><p>The complex, adjacent to the church at 5105 N. U.S. 441, Ocala, has been a cooperative effort by the congregation and local businesses to build a recreation area for the whole family, especially youth, the Rev. Benjamin Snowden III said.</p><p>"The park will be for the public as well as congregation members. We're reaching out to the youth in the community with a safe haven and a good environment where kids can be surrounded by family," Snowden said.</p><p>Snowden said the park also will be a place for adults to exercise and keep fit for good health.</p><p>The church's youth minister, the Rev. Calvin Brown, said the complex is an outreach to the community.</p><p>"Our church is all about building relationships and networking with the community. The park was the vision of apostle Bernard Tuggerson Sr., who passed away in November, and his friend and honorary church member attorney Charles Foreman. Apostle Tuggerson raised me," Brown said.</p><p>The complex includes a softball field, basketball court, tennis/volleyball court, slides and swing sets, a climbing gym, a playhouse and a 1/4-mile fitness track.</p><p>On a recent workday, in 95 degree heat, Snowden, church member Michael Thompson, executive pastor Rev. Bernard Tuggerson Jr. and his mother, senior pastor Rev. Lillie Tuggerson, worked on playground equipment and painted the playhouse.</p><p>Bernard Tuggerson Jr. said the complex was one of his father's desires for the community.</p><p>Lillie Tuggerson said it was an "investment in the community" envisioned by her late husband.</p><p>"It is about the next generation," she said.</p><p>The Beard family — Beauregard Beard Jr., 30, his wife, Faith, and their sons Beauregard III, 8, and Kamden, 3, — are looking forward to the park opening.</p><p>"I can't wait," said Beauregard Beard Jr., who was one of the volunteers who worked on the project. "It's been a lot of work."</p><p>Several children in the congregation gathered after services recently to talk about the park. Keviontae Brown, 12, Calvin Brown's son, said he wants to play football there. Zakire Johnson, 15, is happy to have an "official type basketball court."</p><p>The Thompson children, — Jaden, 7, Jared, 6, and Makenzie, 3 — along with the Olorode children, Elijah, 10, and Caleb, 9, are ready to play.</p><p>"Makenzie wants to play in the playground," Jaden said.</p><p>Benjamin Snowden IV, 5, said he "wants to play tennis."</p><p>His father said the dedication event will feature a live band, food, games and a bounce house.</p><p>"We hope the whole city shows up for the dedication," he said.</p>